Trieste, November 14-15, 2024

See the call for papers for language lecturers/teachers

See the call for papers for University Language Center staff

Call for papers for language lecturers/teachers

“Language is a process of free creation; its laws and principles are fixed, but the manner in which the principles of generation are used is free and infinitely varied.”

(Noam Chomsky)

Welcome to “Redefining/Revitalizing Language Education through Intercultural Communication: from Technical/Digital Skills to Ethical Concerns in a data-driven Society.”

In this digital world, language educators and learners alike are grappling with the unstoppable creation of all sorts of digital technologies in a variety of forms. AI (Artificial Intelligence) is among us and here to stay, generating both excitement and concern. While innovative and diverse teaching methods and learning approaches are being explored, the issue of digital competence remains a crucial issue across the board. As global citizens, the sustainable and ethical use of these tools calls for our attention.

In an effort to keep up with the development of the European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Language Center of the University of Trieste invites language educators, scholars, and practitioners to discuss language teaching and learning in this new digital and intercultural era. The seminar is aimed at enhancing collaboration and networking across institutions. It also hopes to provide an opportunity to share language learning practices, promote discussion, and engage in further research.

We welcome papers on foreign language education in correlation with, but not limited to, any of the following:

• Online language learning tools
• AI (Artificial Intelligence) and language learning
• Critical thinking skills
• The digital divide
• Soft skills
• Inclusion
• Multiculturalism
• Intercultural communication
• UN Sustainable Development Goals

This call invites proposals in Italian, English, French, Spanish, or German, in one of the following two formats:

• Traditional paper presentations
• Pecha Kucha

Please specify choice of format in proposal.

Speakers will have 20 minutes to present their papers, followed by 10 minutes of discussion. Pecha Kucha format presentations should include 20 slides projected for 20 seconds each in max. 6 minutes and 40 seconds, followed by 10 minutes of discussion.

Proposals of max. 300 words are welcome from May 13th to July 31st. Notification of acceptance will be sent by September 1st.

Call for papers for University Language Center staff

The XXVIII AICLU Seminar, hosted by the Language Center of the University of Trieste on November 14th and 15th, will include a session dedicated to the contributions of administrative and technical staff within University Language Centers. The session aims to foster the exchange of best practices, with special focus on the activities undertaken by University Language Centers, which, due to their unique nature, often diverge from standard university procedures.

This session builds on the work begun at the XXVII AICLU Seminar, held at the University of Padua in 2023, and will continue during the AICLU Conference at the University of Pavia in June 2024.

Both administrative and technical staff are invited to submit their proposals on the theme of the XXVIII AICLU Seminar, “Redefining /Revitalizing Language Education through Intercultural Communication: from Technical/Digital Skills to Ethical Concerns in a data-driven Society” in relation to any of the following:

• Online language learning tools: managing online and blended learning platforms and data-driven management systems
• AI and Language learning: collaborating with CELs (language teachers) to foster innovations in language pedagogy
• Management of course admission criteria and test results
• Facilitation of payment and administrative procedures with university administration offices and third parties
• Inclusion and intercultural communication: overseeing certificates, statements, external certifications, and badges.

Each presentation should be 10-15 minutes in length, followed by 10-15 minutes for questions and discussion, and in Italian. Proposals are to be submitted via the seminar website by July 31, 2024. Notification of acceptance will be sent by September 1, 2024.

Send a proposal

Program and Registration

The full program will be published by October 15, 2024.
Seminar activities will commence in the afternoon, on November 14th, with the University of Trieste institutional greetings followed by the plenary session. We are honored to have Cesare Zanca as our guest speaker, who will deliver a presentation titled "Redefining/Revitalizing or Revolutionizing Language Education? That is the question." The session dedicated to the University Language Center staff will take place on the morning of November 15th.

Registration

Registration and payment of the registration fee will be open from September 15th to October 15th. Payment details will follow soon.
The registration fee is 80 Euros. The fee includes participation in the activities organized within the seminar and coffee breaks. It does not include the social dinner, which will be held on November 14th. Further details regarding participation in the social dinner will be provided soon.

Trieste

The Venue

The conference activities will take place in Trieste, at the Department of Legal, Language, Interpreting and Translation Studies, located at Via Fabio Filzi 14, Trieste, Italy.

The venue is centrally located, very close to the train station and the bus station (six minutes' walking distance).
If you are arriving by car, parking in the city center is limited. You may try one of the paid parking options:

• near the courthouse (Foro Ulpiano parking);
• near the main bus station (Saba Silos parking).

Things to do

Trieste and its surroundings are rich in history and culture.

In addition to the city center with its waterfront, churches of various denominations, Molo Audace, and Piazza Unità d'Italia, you can visit:

• the castle and cathedral of San Giusto
• the Miramare Castle
• the Revoltella Museum of Modern Art
• the Risiera di San Sabba
• the Synagogue
• the Grotta Gigante.